Henryk Mikolaj G&#243recki, 1933-2010

One of the leading Polish composers of the 20th (and 21st) Century, Górecki’s music has been compared to the likes of Messiaen and Arvo Pärt. He is best known for his Symphony No. 3 which reached number 6 in the British charts. You can read more about Górecki’s work and influence in this obituary in the Telegraph.

Górecki, by Adrian Thomas.
“This book is the first detailed study of Polish composer Henryk Górecki, whose Third Symphony, written in 1976 and released on CD in 1992, became a bestseller and brought Goreki international renown. Written by a leading enthusiast of Górecki’s music, this volume ranges from the composer’s large orchestral scores (Sconti, Refrain, the Symphonies) and choral works (Beatus Vir, commissioned by and dedicated to Pope John Paul II) to the more modest church songs and folk-song arrangements. Granted numerous interviews and access to unpublished material, the author discusses Górecki’s position as leader of the Polish avant-garde in the late 1950s, and his subsequent discovery of the folk and church music of Old Poland, most notably that of the Podhale region in southern Poland. The book includes a complete list of works since 1955 with details of instrumentation and recordings, and a select bibliography.” (Summary from catalogue)